North Central College is recognized for excellence in the 2014-2015 Colleges of Distinction directory.

North Central College is recognized for excellence in the 2014-2015 Colleges of Distinction directory.

Colleges of Distinction is a guide that considers the views of guidance counselors, educators and admission professionals to honor colleges that excel in four areas of undergraduate education: engaged students, great teaching, vibrant communities and successful outcomes.

The 15th annual edition praises North Central College and its commitment to those four core values.

Kevin Schnable, a 1996 elementary education graduate of North Central College, is the new principal of McCarty Elementary School in Aurora.

Kevin Schnable, a 1996 elementary education graduate of North Central College, is the new principal of McCarty Elementary School in Aurora.

Schnable began his career as a fourth-grade teacher in Indian Prairie School District 204 at Graham Elementary School in Naperville. He then taught fourth and fifth grades in Oswego and later became a high school English teacher and director of student activities at Oswego High School. He served as dean of students there since 2004, the Daily Herald reported.

A North Central College program that helps prepare future educators is a model for a new program to improve opportunities for all first-generation students.

A North Central College program that helps prepare future educators is serving as a model for a new program to improve opportunities for all the College’s first-generation students.

Teach First—which aims to recruit and retain first-generation college students who want to become teachers—was launched at North Central in 2008. Six years later it’s serving as a model for Cardinal First that launches in fall 2014.

North Central College education alumna Mavis DeMar ’79 has been named to a newly created administrative post in East Aurora School District 131.

North Central College education alumna Mavis DeMar ’79 has been named to a newly created administrative post in East Aurora School District 131.

DeMar was promoted from her position as principal of Hermes Elementary School in Aurora. In her new role she will oversee a collaborative program between East Aurora and North Central College to prepare future principals.

Six candidates are the first to complete North Central College’s newly redesigned principal-preparation program.

Heather Schild learned a lot about leadership and the responsibilities of being a school principal while she studied for her master’s degree in education (MAEd) at North Central College.

For two years while enrolled in North Central’s principal-preparation program, Schild worked as an Instructional Coordinator in Naperville Community Unit School District 203 and reported directly to Naperville North High School Principal Kevin Pobst.

“I thought North Central’s program was rigorous and provided a lot of authentic experiences,” Schild says.

North Central College students voted to invite faculty members Kristine Servais and William Muck to speak at the Last Lecture May 14.

North Central College students voted to invite two faculty members—Kristine Servais, associate professor of education, and William Muck, assistant professor of political science—to speak at the annual Last Lecture. The free event will be held at 7 p.m. Wednesday, May 14, in Smith Hall at Old Main. A dessert reception will follow the event.